Jul 14, 2015, 4:38 pm
Last edit by: Zorak
Summary of SkyMiles Upgrade Changes
Effective Aug 1, 2015, DM's on paid fares and no companions will no longer receive complimentary upgrades JFK-LAX/SFO. Delta's reps failed to disclose this in their June 14 announcement.
For travel on or after June 1, 2016, additional fare classes are eligible for SkyMiles upgrades:
Within North American and northern South America, L/U/T fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M/H/Q/K)
For all other markets, H/Q/K fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M)
SkyMiles Upgrade Awards will also require more miles. Prices for the following markets as quoted by multiple reservations agents: (Pricing is one-way)
(current chart based on observations has been moved to this thread: Upgrading with miles)
Effective Aug 1, 2015, DM's on paid fares and no companions will no longer receive complimentary upgrades JFK-LAX/SFO. Delta's reps failed to disclose this in their June 14 announcement.
For travel on or after June 1, 2016, additional fare classes are eligible for SkyMiles upgrades:
Within North American and northern South America, L/U/T fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M/H/Q/K)
For all other markets, H/Q/K fares are now eligible. (Previously only Y/B/M)
SkyMiles Upgrade Awards will also require more miles. Prices for the following markets as quoted by multiple reservations agents: (Pricing is one-way)
(current chart based on observations has been moved to this thread: Upgrading with miles)
SkyMiles July Announcements
Jul 14, 2015, 5:20 pm
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,278
Since Delta won't publish charts on its website, they were confirmed the only way they are ever going to be - by calling and asking an agent. Feel free to do the same, and please come back to update the wiki with your findings for additional regions.
Jul 14, 2015, 5:37 pm
#107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
Edit: Got some very interesting data on SkyMiles upgrades.
Domestic (except JFK-LAX/SFO, Hawaii, etc.):
Y/B/M: 15,000 miles
S/H/Q/K: 20,000 miles
L/U/T: 30,000 miles
Prices are each way. Sorry, those are the only regions I got. But it's pretty clear: this is a bloodbath.
Domestic (except JFK-LAX/SFO, Hawaii, etc.):
Y/B/M: 15,000 miles
S/H/Q/K: 20,000 miles
L/U/T: 30,000 miles
Prices are each way. Sorry, those are the only regions I got. But it's pretty clear: this is a bloodbath.
Jul 14, 2015, 5:51 pm
#108
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
I mentioned PWMs upthread and after seeing the Wiki numbers wonder when DL is going to dilute PWMs which I thought pricey but sometimes necessary for my travel.
Jul 14, 2015, 5:51 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,375
Medallions can once again take advantage of Complimentary Upgrades on flights between New York-JFK and Seattle as we are primarily offering our First Class experience on this route. [bolding mine]
Is DL trying to say that occasionally, some flights may be operated by flat-bed seat equipped flights but receive standard domestic F service? I assumed that was the case all along when they came to the realization that SEA can't sustain a premium transcon service. Not sure why they are calling special attention to this fact. ...
Is DL trying to say that occasionally, some flights may be operated by flat-bed seat equipped flights but receive standard domestic F service? I assumed that was the case all along when they came to the realization that SEA can't sustain a premium transcon service. Not sure why they are calling special attention to this fact. ...
Jul 14, 2015, 5:56 pm
#110
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: SEA once more (previously CDG and NRT)
Programs: Former DL DM and UA 1k, now a J class free agent (UA Gold, AS MVP Gold)
Posts: 2,450
Delta has only one more devaluation in them before they have to start listing the miles required for awards and upgrades in scientific notation for readability.
Jul 14, 2015, 6:16 pm
#112
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AA Gold, Delta DM Hilton Diamond SPG Gold, and Foodland premium.
Posts: 824
So, as a middle of the country FF, this is good and bad. Bad:variable awards pricing. Good: folks on the coasts(if they really need an upgrade) will use their RUC on transcons, leaving more space for me when I need to use them hopping from the Midwest to Florida, California, or Portland(whichever one) I am not sure about the other diamonds out there, but this should help most on the RUC front. It will be interesting what they do with the variable pricing.
Jul 14, 2015, 6:19 pm
#113
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
AAdvantage charges 25,000 miles + $350
An additional 60,000 miles instead of levying a $500 copay...or an additional 55,000 to avoid $350 in copay...
Seems plausible.
But not at all attractive.
Last edited by cerealmarketer; Jul 14, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Jul 14, 2015, 6:39 pm
#114
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
Hmmmm... 230,000 miles plus ~ USD$2,000 for a restricted J ticked to Aus on Delta? Or, equating with PWM, roughly USD$4,300 for a restricted J ticket? I guess that's logical.
Jul 14, 2015, 7:40 pm
#115
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
If true, I am very surprised to see such a huge increase for Y/B/M fares. This really screws the business traveler who is buying the very expensive last minute coach ticket and can't buy into J due to company policy but could use miles. Can you imagine buying a Y fare that was priced the same or even less than business and then be asked to fork over 120K miles for a r/t UG??
Jul 14, 2015, 8:16 pm
#116
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
If true, I am very surprised to see such a huge increase for Y/B/M fares. This really screws the business traveler who is buying the very expensive last minute coach ticket and can't buy into J due to company policy but could use miles. Can you imagine buying a Y fare that was priced the same or even less than business and then be asked to fork over 120K miles for a r/t UG??
This is the ultimate slap in the face of the customers who make Delta's bottom line. Then again, since a company is paying for the ticket, perhaps Delta thinks that since they have a captive market, they can charge whatever they want, miles-wise, for upgrades.
The RUC changes are clearly meant to be a ruse to distract from the final deathblow to the SkyMiles program. I've been a big supporter of Delta for years now, but this might be the end. Next summer, I fully expect to see TATL J tickets for 300-400K miles. Seven-figure "awards" won't be far behind for other long-haul routes.
Last edited by KDCAflyer; Jul 14, 2015 at 8:22 pm
Jul 14, 2015, 8:28 pm
#117
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
I can't believe that those rates are accurate. 120K to upgrade is almost the same cost as a low-level J award (assuming the 125K award isn't eliminated entirely).
This is the ultimate slap in the face of the customers who make Delta's bottom line. Then again, since a company is paying for the ticket, perhaps Delta thinks that since they have a captive market, they can charge whatever they want, miles-wise, for upgrades.
The RUC changes are clearly meant to be a ruse to distract from the final deathblow to the SkyMiles program. I've been a big supporter of Delta for years now, but this might be the end. Next summer, I fully expect to see TATL J tickets for 300-400K miles. Seven-figure "awards" won't be far behind for other long-haul routes.
This is the ultimate slap in the face of the customers who make Delta's bottom line. Then again, since a company is paying for the ticket, perhaps Delta thinks that since they have a captive market, they can charge whatever they want, miles-wise, for upgrades.
The RUC changes are clearly meant to be a ruse to distract from the final deathblow to the SkyMiles program. I've been a big supporter of Delta for years now, but this might be the end. Next summer, I fully expect to see TATL J tickets for 300-400K miles. Seven-figure "awards" won't be far behind for other long-haul routes.
Jul 14, 2015, 8:40 pm
#118
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SMF
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt D
Posts: 416
It's like them telling us, "Hey we are out to screw you with the mileage redemption thing, we won't tell you by how much, but it will start in July 2016"
Gee, thanks for the advanced notice, keeps people like me confused as to whether I should keep or get rid of my miles.
Vague news is bad news...
Gee, thanks for the advanced notice, keeps people like me confused as to whether I should keep or get rid of my miles.
Vague news is bad news...
Jul 14, 2015, 8:42 pm
#119
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,850
It is totally within the realm of possibility. With dynamic pricing if a Skymile is valued at 1 cent and a one way fare for tomorrow in J from JFK to LHR is $5981, this means that the one way price could easily be 591,000 miles for a redemption if DL so chose. At these rates upgrades and redemptions for flights that are in demand are going to cost A LOT more than they do now. It is only a matter of time before the move towards a much more narrow value for points than has been the case in the past comes to fruition. DL has been taking steps forward each year to get to this point.
Jul 14, 2015, 8:56 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,207
Wow if those upgrade prices are correct its really beyond insulting. 230k round trip to southern Asia or the south pacific? Thats more than a supposed low level award ticket costs. Its pretty clear where award ticket prices are going just based on the insane upgrades. Bye bye first class redemptions. Now its going to be pay for coach, then use the same amount of miles you use to for an entire free ticket just to get onto the waitlist for J
Better go hit the skymiles mall... some of those previously horrid exchange rates aren't looking so bad now.
Better go hit the skymiles mall... some of those previously horrid exchange rates aren't looking so bad now.